Refrigerator



May 23, `1939. 1 H WARD JR 2,159,608

REFRIGERATQR Filed April 17, 193e s sheets-sheet 1 Amflg May 23, 193.9 l Y .1. H. WARD, .JR 2,159,608

REFRIGERATOR yFiIl-.ed April 17. 1956 6 Sheets-Seet 2 44 47 @9 i Mig O O '75' 53 O O 9 63 as", @5 6? /05\ 7@ /1/ 106 L EJQ..

May 2311939- I .15H wARD,-JR 2.159.608

- REFRIGERATOR y Filed April 1'?, 193e e sheets-sheet 4 l L11 52 I 12 May 23, 1939. J. H. WARD, JR 2,159,608

REFRIGERATOR Filed April 1v, 193e s sheets-sheet sr n 5,95 nve, Todames H. Naviga Aim Patented May 23, 1939 y REFRIGERATDR James H. Ward, Jr., Niles, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Tyler Fixture Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Application April 1'1, 193s, serial Np. 74,868

claims.

This invention, relates toA refrigeration, beingV more particularly concerned with a novel structure of refrigerator casing and of moisture collecting and evaporating apparatus within the casing, whereby a very complete, ecient and satisfactory refrigerator is provided at a 4marked decrease in cost. Furthermore, my construction has many desirable features not hitherto present in refrigerator constructions.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator frame in the form of a casing which is made entirely of sheet `metal, the parts thereof being readily formed into shape and assembled quickly and easily and without the use of forms or jigs and connected by welding. The .sheet kmetal frame is suitably covered at its inner side with heat insulating material at the inner side of which is an inner lining of sheet metal. i The refrigerator is .particularly adapted for commercial use in stores or the like and is made so that the contents may be readily displayed through the front of the upper porti'on of the refrigerator case and removed there- 'from at the'opposite side.

The temperature within the refrigerator case is vnot to be excessively low whereby frost, ice or the like collects on the refrigerating coils and other interior parts of the casing. Instead, moisture only condenses upon the coils. One feature of my invention is concerned with a simple, practical and efficient method of evaporating this moisture wherebythe space within the refrigerator casing maintains its good degree of V humidity, thus avoiding what has heretofore been one objection to so-called mechanical refrigeration.

As just explained the temperature within the refrigerator casing is not excessively low and in fact this temperature is vnot below freezing. This is-a very great advantage inasmuch as ice doesv not form upon the cooling coils and consequently defrosting is` eliminated. Along this same line the cooling coils are arranged' so that the moisture which condenses thereon, this moisture being taken from the air, is rapidly reevaporated into the air and thus the proper degreeV of humidity is maintained within the refrigerator. The flow of air is controlled and regulated so that reevaporation of the condensed moisture will be facilitated. The air is so controlled as to make it ow directly down- Iwardly from the upper cooling coil and during this -initial movement the air passes around the lower-portion of thecooling coil and 'immediately above two spaced troughsinto which the conden- There is no wooden construction present which sate from the cooling coil has collected. This air,4 due to the shape of its passageways, gathers therein a'part of the moisture which has condensed therefrom. Then flowing' directly downwardly the air spreads out somewhat and im- 5 still unevaporated and again the air somewhat int creases its humidity: The flow ofthe air is then 16 upwardly along either side of the refrigerator casing. This is a. natural flow inasmuch as the walls of the refrigerator give off whatever heat is absorbed by the refrigerator. A

Another very important advantage of my in- 20 vention resides in the construction wherein the main frame is form-ed without any wooden members therein. This permits the frame construction, .which is formed of flat sheet metal elements, to be sprayed with a priming coat of paint and then baked in an oven whereby the paint is hardened toform its protective coating. By this construction, the parts are thoroughly protected.

obviously is advantageous.

y Another advantage resides in my ornamental panel construction whereby the panels may be individually replaced whenever deemed necessary. For instance, should one of thesides of the refrigerator become damaged it is only necessary 35 to remove thatv particular side, this being easily accomplished, and then replace it by a new panel.' Thus, the refrigerator is 'again of its original neat appearance. Only a minimum of labor and expense is involved. Another advantage resides in the particular construction of the outer lower portions of the several panels. These panels are indented and an ornamental str ip is carried therein. This ornamental strip can be Ireadily removed, being de- 45 tachably fastened on by self-threading screws, whereby the case can be readily moved about without any injury resulting from the Vuse of finished appearance. Preferably, these ornamental panels are of a very dark color, such as black,

whereby they do not show minor injuries therel sembled at the factory in the dehydrated room and is in perfect condition. Furthermore, the installation of the new unit does not require skilled labor. Formerly, it was necessary to individually replace and reseal the several glass panels with the result that the humidity of the air `at that particular time controlled the amount of humidity which was sealed between these glass panels. Obviously, this was objectionable inasmuch as there should be no humidity present whatsoever in the air between these glass panels.

Another feature of my invention which is very important lies in the construction of and concealment of the lighting fixtures whereby there will be no direct rays of light striking the customer in the face. This is accomplished in part by the frosted construction of the outer side of the outermost glass panel, this frosting extending downwardly to a point substantially below the overhanging portion of the top of the refrigerator case.

An understanding of the invention and of the structures for attaining the objects of the same may be had from the following description, taken form the major portion of the elements which'are used in building the outside sheet metal casing structure'.

Fig. is a fragmentary enlarged vertical longie tudinal section taken at one end of the refrigerator casing.

Fig. 6 is` an enlarged fragmentary section of the upperL part of the construction shown in Fig. 5, illustrating the drain for moisture which may drip from the upper coils.V

Fig. '7 is a transverse section through the upper refrigerating coil structure and the moisture collecting and draining pan therefor.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View showing the lower moisture collecting and drainage structure below the lower refrigerating coil.

Fig. `9 is a fragmentary transverse section therethrough, the section being .taken longitudinally of the refrigerator.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the end members of the moisture collecting g and drainage structure show n in Figs. 8 and 9.

the doors to the lower compartment of the refrigerator.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the c orner construction of the inner wood frame of said door.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of the refrigerator with the flnishing moldings and panels applied thereto.

. Figs. 15 and 16 are, respectively transverse seotions on the planes of lines I5--I5 and Iii-I6 of Fig. 14. l

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line I'I--I'I of Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view through the lower part of the sliding doors illustrating a modified form of construction, and

Fig. 19 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken through one end of the unit glass panel.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different gures of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the outer structure of the refrigerator casing includes two ends of sheet metal each having a vertical body I from which flanges extend inwardly. At the front vertical edge of the body a flange 2 is turned inwardly connected with which is a similar flange 3 which extends upwardly and rearwardly, joining with a relatively short horizontal flange dat the top edge of the body I. The flanges are thence continued around the body in a downwardly and rearwardly extending flange 5, aA vertical flange 6 at the rear vertical edge of the body,

and a horizontal lower flange I (Fig. 5) turned The inner edge of the flange 3 described has the metal continued as an inwardly extending section 9 which parallels the body I and which terminates at its lower edge in a lip II) extending in substantially the same direction as the flange 3. Neither of the parts 9 and I0 extend to the lower ends of the respective flanges 3 and 5 with which they are integrally connected but end a short distance therefrom, as shown.

The various flanges 2, 3, 4, 5, Il and 'I are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the heat insulating material which is used to prevent the passage of heat from the outside to the in terior space of the refrigerator.

A front panel I2 of sheet metal is provided to extend between the two spaced .apart end members of the outer sheet metal casing. At the lower horizontal edge of the panel I2 a flange I3 is turned inwardly which terminates in an upturned lip I 4. At the upper edge a section I5 is turned to extend upwardly and inwardly at an angle to the vertical for a short distance and is then bent substantially at right angles, as at I6, and terminates in a downwardly andv inwardly turned lip II. The parts I6 and I1 are cutoff for a distance at their end portions, as indicatedv jacent the bottomflange 'I of the end panel.

'I'he flanges 2 overlap the .ends of the panel I2 and may be secured thereto by suitable welding, such as gas welding at the edges of the flanges 2.

A back panel I8 of sheet metal is provided to lie at the upper portion ,of and between the inturned flanges 6 of the end-members. The panel I8 at its lower edge has an inturned lip or flange I9; while at its upper edge, it is bent to.

extend upwardly and forwardly for a distance,

making the section 2|, then inwardly to form a lip 22, and then termination in a downturned flange ^23.

The section 2| lies back of the flange 5 and the section I8 lies back of the flanges 6. The end of this member I8 abuts against the inner face of the end panel I, similar to the front panel I2,

' and these contacts automatically aline these several members whereby true right angles are I obtained therebetween. Welding maintains the several members together.

At the lower portion of the back of the casing a sheet metal rail is provided having a vertical web 24 from which a horizontal ange 25 extends at its lower edge terminating in an upturned lip 26. At the upper edge of the web 24 a shorter llange 21 is turned'inwardly.

. The rail just mentioned extends alongside o f the flanges 6 and 1 and abuts the inner-faces of the end members similarly to the panels I2 and I8, previously mentioned. The flange 8 is cut away, see. Fig. 4, to permit this assembly.

v3Ia at each end of the bottom 29 rests upon the' horizontal ilanges 1 at the lower edges of the end members. The horizontal flanges 3|a may be welded or otherwise permanently secured to the ilanges 1.

A Wooden frame shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 is used, comprising a lower horizontal rail' 33, an upper rail 34 parallel to and spaced therefrom, with .spaced apart vertical posts 35 extending between the lower and upper rails. This frame lies between the panel I8 and the lower rail del' scribed at the rear of the casing, the upperrail 34 lying immediately above the flange I9 andA with the rear edge portions of the posts 35 notched Ato receive the ilange I9. The lower rail 33 passes underneath the flange21 and the rear lower edge portions of the posts 35 are notched to receive the flange 21.

A horizontal rail `32 of substantially the same vcross section as-the-lower rail 33 is positioned directly beneath said rail 33 and lies on the bottomV 29 as shown in Fig. 3. The ends of the several rails 32, 33' and 34 come to the edges of the ilanges 6 so as to abut against the heat in sulation material which is Within the several ilanges turned inwardly from the bodies I of the endmembers. The posts 35, closest to the ends of Vthe casing,`are spaced .a short distance from `the edges of the ilanges 6. Vertical sheet Ametal panel members 36, each with an inturned flange 31 at one vertical edge thereof, and with' upper and lower lips 38 turned inwardly from the upper ,and lower edges (Fig. 4), are used oneat each end of the woo'den framedescribed,

'each having a portion to be inserted within the each Vertical edge and lips 4I, is inserted so that The 'end post 35 is the lips 4| pass above and below the rails 33 and 34 respectively. and the ilanges 40vpass to each side of posts 35, there being two of said posts` relatively close together at the .middle portion of the wooden frame. The posts are notched to receive the lips 4I. This provides an open frame structure lined at its outer side with sheet metal, having two openings therein in which doors may be mounted for closingand opening the same as will be later described.

Likewise, there is a door opening at the upper rear portion of the refrigerator above the panel I8. This opening is of an elongated character and at each end thereof is a pan-like" panel 39a having ilanges turned inwardly around three edges thereof (Fig. 4). The extended' flat portion lies interiorly and adjacent to the flange and is welded thereto in any suitable manner. The top of the outer metal casing is provided by an elongated panel 42 of sheet metal havingprojecting end portions 43 to pass underneath the top ilanges 4 of the end members. Sections 44 and 45 extend downwardly and for- 'wardly and lthence downwardly and inwardly at its front edge and a section 41 extends downwardly at the rear edge terminatingin an inturned ilange 48 which in turn has an upwardly turned lip 49 at its edge as shown in Fig. 4. The projection portions 43, 44 and 41 are welded to the flanges of the end members and there is completed at the rear ofthe casing an upper opening for entrance into the casing. Also, there is provided at the front upper portion of the casing a front opening in which a glass assembly structure is placed, as later described.

. for display of meats or other merchandise which is carriedin the upperV portion of the refrigerator.'

, At the inner sides of the sheet metal outer members of the casing described, heat insulating material of well known composition is placed, For example, the bottom 29 is covered by a thickness 5I) of such material, extending between the rails 32 and 33 to the insulating maf terial 5| back of the front panel I2. These heat insulating members SI1l and 5I at their ends abut against similar heat insulating material V52 which illls the spaces between the flanges extending from the bodies I of the ends. The end insulation is split as indicated by the dotted lines of Fig. 4.

Inside of the back panel I8 described is similar heat insulating material 53, see Fig. 3, resting uponthe top bar 34 of the wood frame described and underneath the top in a thickness of heat' insulating material 54.

The inside of the refrigerator casing is lined with sheet metal. Over the bottom insulating material 5U is a sheet metal plate 55 with upturned flanges 56 at its front edge and ends, While at its rear edge itis offset, as indicated at 51, so as to pass partly over the bar 33.

Tacks extend through both the edge of member 51 and the edge or flange 21 of the rear lower and outer rail of the case. Thusthesemembers are separated whereby a heat loss is prevented. Immediately'inside the front insulating material 5| is a vertical sheet metalplate 584 which passes insidev of the ange 56 (Fig. 3) and: extends upwardly a short distance above the heat insulating material 5I. The ends have their heat'l insulating material 52 lined and covered by metal plates 59 and 6I) coming inside the ilange 56 as shown in Fig. 5.

The plate 68 has an offset portion extending over the upper portion ofthe plate 5Il.A A sealing strip lies therebetween and screws hold these parts together.

At the top of the casing 4there is an inner lining 6| of sheet metal underneath the heatinsulating material 54 This lining -has downturned anges 62 at its ends lying outside of 'the upper edges of the plate 60. See Fig. 6. This lining also has a downwardly and rearwardly turned section 63 at its rear edge shaped as shown ln Figl 3. At its front edge is formed a vertical section 64 -which is continued into two sections 65 and 66 (Fig. 3) shaped to conform to the lower and rear sides of a horizontal bar 61 located at the frontedge of/ the insulating material 54. At its upper side this bar 61 bears against the topplate 42, being held in place by a substantially Z-shaped bar 68, one flange of which is we lded or otherwise permanently secured to the underside of the plate 42. The other flange extends into a slot cut in the bar 61, as shown in Fig. 3.

A frame for the rear door opening at the upper portion of the case is provided including an upper horizontal bar 69 and a lower horizontal bar 10 with vertical end bars connecting the same. The lower bar rests upon the insulating material 53 (Fig. 3) while the flanges 2| and 22 at the upper edge of the back plate I8 pass partly around and connect with the lower bar 19 as illustrated. The flange 23 extends downwardly into a groove located in the top of bar 10. AThe inside of the insulating material53 is covered by a vertical lining plate 1| having a lower horizontal outwardly turned flange 12 which is spaced from the flange I9 located at the lower edge of the back plate I9. A second sheet metal plate 13, of the form ,shown in Fig. 3, is connected to the upper por- Y tions of the plate 1I through an intervening ,bar

and spacer 14. The sheet metal plate 13 has a downturned flange 13a at its upper edge. This flange 13a. is spaced from the flange 23 by a strip 13b but is located in the same groove. An emulsion of water-proof character is located in the groove between the spaced flanges. This emulsion hardens after a short time and thus a tight seal is formed. Within the door frame described is a metal frame 15 of angular cross section, the upper and lower sides of which bear respectively against the lower and upper sides of the two door frame members 69. 4

Sliding doors 16, to pass one by the other, are mounted in the frame 15.Y The flanges 41, 48 and the lip 49 at the rear edge of the upper outer plate 42 extend into a groove in the lower side of theupper wood frame member 69. Similarly, a terminal ange extending from the flange 63 also extends into the groove. A sealing emulsion self-hardening. is packed between these short, upwardly extending flanges. The top frame member 15 is welded to the abutting faces of panel members. Likewise the bottom frame member is welded onto the flange 22 and the upper portion of the plate 13. The side frame members are welded to the vertical ange of the respective side members 39a.

The lower door opening in the rear of the casing has a metal frame 15a -therein covering the space between the flanges I9 and 12 and the edges of the flange 21 and the plate 51. As shown, screws extend through the metal frame 15a to hold it in place.

Swinging doors 16a are hinged to the panels 36 and the vertical posts 35 of the wood frame of the vertical sides 11 having a slot 19 in its outer face near both its upper and lower ends. Associated with such corners of the frame is a metallic clip 8U, a flange of which passes under the lower bar 18, and above the upper bar 18 and with a lip 8| entering the slot 19. A screw 82 is used to connect the parts together making a rigid reinforced corner at each of the corners of the frame. Within the frame is a block of heat insulating material 83 similar to all of the rest used, and at the front of the wood frame is a second frame 84 of wood the outer surfaces of which are in the same plane with the insulating material 83. The -whole is covered with sheet metal front and ,rear coverings 85 and 86.

At the upper edge of the front section 5| of the heat insulating material used is a bar 81the upper side of which parallels the lower outer side portion of the bar 61 previously described. The

flange I6 with the terminal lip I1 connects at the upper side with the rear portion of said bar 81 which bar is doubly grooved to receive the downturned lip I1 and one of the flanges of the Z-bar 88. Both of these grooves are lled with liquid rubber latex which is of the non-hardening kind.

As shown in Fig. 19, each of the flanges of the end members is received within the doubly grooved frame member |50. A Z-shaped bar I5| has one of its flanges located in the other groove and its other flange, having a lip thereon, is 1ocated adjacent the inner edge of the frame mem- -ber 89. The end liner 59 is fastened to the member 89 as shown. Within the open space, the upper and lower sides of which are provided by the coverings to the bar 81 .and the covering to the lower-side of the bar 61, the ends of which are provided by the coverings to the members |59, a glass carrying frame is mounted. This frame (Fig. 11) includes upper and lower parallel rails 89 connected by end bars- 90, all of the members 89 and 90 of the frame having an in wardly extended ledge 9| at their rear portions.

A rear plate of glass 93 has its outer edge and extreme outer portion of its sides smeared or painted with a rubber mastic or equivalent compound. This plate of glass is then inserted against the ledges 9|, these ledges extending inwardly from all of the frame members. Spacer members 94, preferably of channel form bear against one portion of the mastic as shown. The pressure of the channel member 94 against the mastic causes it to spread evenly between the plate glass 93 and the channel and some surplus of the mastic 99 is squeezed inwardly.

At this point in the assemblage the surplus or excess mastic is cleaned from the plate of glass 93 inasmuch as it is readily accessible. Next, a felt ller 95 is positioned' alongside of the channel 94, see Fig. 11, and then a second plate of glass 96 is inserted as shown. This plate of glass 96 having liquid mastic composition 91 placed thereon. .Another channel member 94 is then placed with one of its flanges contacting the mastic 91 and this contact squeezes a surplus inwardly from between the channel and the glass` 2,15o,cos

mage ef the device but obviously this 1s immeterial.

Another felt strip 95 is placed adjacent'the other leg of the second channel 94 and the third plate of glass 98 is treated with rubber inastic 91 similarly to the treatment accorded the glass member 96. vFollowing this the bars 99 are se due to the novel method ofiinstallation whereby the surplus liquid mastic may be cleaned from the interior portions of the plates of glass 93,

96 and 98, and the front side near'the edges of the plate glass 96. A second spacer 94 of identical form bears against the inwardly extended leg of the member 91. A secondfelt 95 is brought against the front panel of the lastmentioned spacer 94 and a front plate glass 98 similarly equipped with an L-shaped member 91 of like material bears against the second mentioned felt 95. The parts are all held and clamped in place by bars 99 screwed or otherwise permanently secured at the outer `faces of the lframe bars 99 and' 90, all as fully shown in Fig. 11. -K

The assembly 4of the glass plates 93, 96 and 90 with the frame is done in a room from which ,substantially all the water vapor in the air has been removed, so that the air between the glass plates contains substantially no moisture or vapor to condense and collect on the surfaces of the glass within the spaces between the several plates. With the assembly the glass and frame structure carrying the same at the frontupper portion of the refrigerator case, the case structure of the refrigerator is complete.

Within the refrigeratorcasing the structureof which has been described are supports for a shelf. These supports are L-shaped bars |00 attached at the front and rear and at the inner sides of the. case at substantially the plane of the lower upper bar 34 ofv the wood frame described. On the horizontal inwardly extended legs an open shelf |0| is located which is positioned immediately above the horizontal pipes of a lower refrigerating coil |02 which extends between the ends of the case. A ller |03 of sheet metal extends from the front 'supporting rail |00, being connected with the lining 58 through an intermediate spacer bar as shown in Fig.l 3 the upper edge of the ller member having a welded connection to the Z-bar 88.

In the uppermost portion of the case and extending lengthwise thereof is an upper refrigerating coil |04 comprising several longitudinal pipes between and connected to which are a plurality of spaced apart transverse vanes in the form of at plates |05. Because of the low temperature within the case when in operation, yet' the temperature not being low enough that any ,condensation on the pipes freezes and becomes Iv have provided having sides los of the form shown whienheve` inner edge portions bent upwardly and extending toward each other but spaced apart as shown end there is a continuous bottom across the ypan of short length terminating in an upturned lip |09 (Fig. 6). The bottom of the drip pan between this lip and the adjacent end |08 has an outlet at ||0. The inner walls of the drip pan are lined with a plastic material which is resistant to the passage of heat, whereby the walls of the pan are not unduly cooled so as to collect moisture which would drip from the outer sides of said pa'n. e s

The pan at its .lower side has an elongated opening of a-width equal to the distance between the `edges of the terminal sections |01. Extending longitudinally a short distance above and over the opening is a flat board which is supported by a sheet metal member 2 having downwardly and outwardly inclined upper sections terminating in U-shaped bends ||3 which pass underneath the edges of the board This sheet metal member ||2 extends the full length of the board Metallic clips |I4 of substantially channel form (Fig. 7) and of relatively short length are located over the metal supporting member ||2, the flanges or legs of the channel bearing against the said supporting mem- 4consists of ground cork mixed with emulsied asphalt. It is spread on with a gun which builds up its thickness at approximately 1A. Thus the member ||2 is insulated from the temperature of the relatively cold condensate which drips thereon and moisture does not form under.- neath the same.

The moisture which condenses on the refrigerating coils and drips down to the pan either falls directly into the pan or against thel downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surfaces of the members l2 and is led therefrom outwardly so as -to necessarily fall into the pan and not through the opening 4between the iianges |01. The condensed moisture in the form of water then fiows to and out of the outlet ||0 being led therefrom through a vertical conduit pipe-l I1 to a lower drip pan structure' which is located underneath the lower refrigerating coil |02.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings and indicated by the arrows therein the air flows upwardly alongside of the glass iinit inthe front of the case and also alongside of the doors at the rear of the case. This is due to the fact that the layer of air adjacent these sides gradually becomes warmed and this warm air flows upwardly towardV the upper cooling unit. `The upper cooling unit cools this air whereon it flows downwardly between the -trough members |06 and then, after some downward movement, contacts the intermediate coil whereon it iiows downwardly through the same and then laterally towards the sides of the case. Here again the air` wardly through the walls and then the air starts its upward journey to repeat the cycle just del 'scribed 'Ihus I obtain a cycle of air flow which maintains the refrigerator casing at substa`ntially the same temperature throughout.

'I'he moisture or condensation collecting structure or pan located immediately below the lower refrigerating coils |02 -comprises two members one disposed above the other. They extend from the rear to the front being downwardly inclined toward the front end. They are supported by L-shaped bars ||8 and H9 at their rear ends and by other bars |22 and |23 at their lrear as shown in Fig. 3. The bar |23 is of a substantially U-shape with one leg shorter than the other, and'fthe bar |22 is of substantially Z- shape with one flange shorter than the other, as shown. The bars ||8 and ||9 areconnected by suitable screws or otherwise to vertical posts of wood |20, the lower ends of which arereduced in cross section so as to be received in suitable socket members |2| attached at the rear portion of therefrigerator case. The bars |22 and |23 are similarly supported at the front portion of the case. The bar |23 which has been described as of a substantially U-shaped form is' to space various sections of the drip tray construction from each other. In the form illustrated there are two sections in each the upper and lower parts of the drip tray structure, and of course there might be a greater number of sections if desired.

The drip tray and draining structure which is carried by the lower bars ||8 and |23 comprises a series of parallel channel bars |28 having upwardly extending flanges (Figs. 3 and 9). These are connected in `properly spaced relation to transverse` flat bars |29 (Fig. 8). The structure which extends between and is supported by the upper bars ||9 and |22 comprises a series of channels |30 with downwardly extending` flanges,`

of the Z bars ||3 lie over and are located be- Itween the planes of the upwardly extending With flanges of the lower channels |28 (Fig. 9). this structure any moisture which drips from theI lower refrigerating coils |02 falls either dif rectly intol the channels |23 or upon channels |30, being lthen Iled therefrom toA the sides of the channels and thence down the depending flanges thereof so that all moisture eventually reaches the lower channels |20 and is carried downwardly therefrom to the bars |23, emptyingv into thechannel thereof from which it flows through the outletl |25 and the pipe |26. The liquidlwater)` vcollected in the upper pan and delivered through th'e pipe ||1 is delivered to the Z-bar |3| and cannot flow to the right because stopped by the upwardlyextending lflange of the vbecomes slightly warmer due to heat loss in- Z bar but must flow to the left and be thence carried to one of the lower channels |28.

With this structure alll moisture condensed upon the refrigerating coils within the casing is carried eventually to the pipe |26 and to the .bottom of the refrigerator from which there may 4be an outlet drain as indicated at |26a to the outside.

It is desirable that the refrigerator casing at its front sides, ends and top at least shall be covered with suitable sheet metal panels to enhance the appearanceand cover evidences of the spot welding or other welding used in securing the sheet metal parts together. One form of such `covering is shown in Figs. 14, l5 and 16. At the front corners and on the rear corners of the refrigerator case, clip members |35 are attached as shown in Figs. 14 and 16. At the ends of the construction, locking strips |3511, having similar cross sectional shape to the clip members |35, are rigidly attached, the oiset portions of these strip members extending beyond the corners of the construction.

A panel member |36, of artistic decoration, has its vertically positioned ends return bent to U- shape as indicated by numeral |38. Thus, this front member |36 is slidable downwardly onto the clips 35. Thus, it is detachably mounted upon the front of the refrigerator construction and may be replaced whenever desired.

An end panel |31 is formed to conform to the shape of 'the end of the refrigerator case and is likewise formed with return bent portions of U-shape, designated |3811. these extending up-v wardly along its sides. Thus, this member is likewise detachably mounted uponl the end of the case by downward sliding movement. As shown in Fig. 16, the panels |36 and |31 contact each other at their vertically positioned edges to form a neat appearing juncture.

'Ihe lower edge of the panel |36 is offset so as to contact the frame of the refrigerator case as clearly shown in Fig. 17., The end 'panel |31 is likewise similarly offset. Thus a channel shaped recess is formed around the. base of the refrigerator. is detachably mounted in this channel. This strip can be easily removed whereby it will not` be damaged during the placing of the refrigerator -in the desired position.

Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, numeral |40 indicates a locking strip of the shape shown, this strip being fastened along the angularly extending side portions of the front panel. A decorative strip or molding |40, bent to U-shape at both of its edges, at I38c, may be slid downwardly to conceal this portion of the cabinet with an ornamental and detachable strip.

A decorative top panel |4|, conforms to the exterior of the top member of the refrigerator cabinet, this panel being placed over the upper ends of the panels |31 and |40 and fastened in position by means of screws. This completes the exterior decorative panel assembly.

By this structure a particularly attractive appearance'is provided and all evidence of projection, welding and the like is covered and disguised.

Referring now to Fig. 18 wherein is shown a modification of my invention, it will be seen that A decorative strip |33, see Figs. 14 and 17, v

the inner lining 13 extends upwardly, as indicated at |60 and is then return bent and terminates in a flange |6I. The outer member I8 likewise extends upwardly as indicated at |62 and is likewise return bent to form a flange |63.

a strip |66. An emulsion, of self-hardening composition' surrounds the strip |64 and flanges |6| y and |63. l

A border strip |65 conceals the emulsion and the structurel adjacent thereto land" provides a bearing surface along which the sliding windows '|6operate. The U-bent portions |66 and |62 form ledges for the sliding windows 16.

Referringto Fig. 3, it is to be noted that the light bulbs are so positioned as to permit the perforated to permit upward passage of the heated air from the electric lights.

The invention described provides a very prac- 25 tical, serviceable and eilicient refrigerator strucappended claims and it is to beconsidered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

I claimz.

1. A refrigerator construction comprising a front panel having an inwardly extendingfiange at its lower edge; said angeterminating in an upstruck portion, and end panels connected to `each end of the front panel, each having inwardly extending flanges therearound, a portion of the ange on each member terminating in an extended L-shaped portion and a rear wall structurev likewise having an inturned iiange at its lower edge, said flange terminating in an upstruck portion, movable closure means located above the rear wall structure and. extending upwardly tothe top of the construction, a top construction and a transparent front member located between the top and the upperedge of the front panel supported on said L-shaped portions and a bottom member having its opposite sides turned downwardly to form supporting flanges, the width ofthe bottom member beingsuch as to position the flanges within the upwardly facing channels formed interiorly of the'lower side edges of the construction. l

2 A refrigerator consisting of a front panel member having an inwardlyl extending flange at its lower edge and a second inwardly extending flange at its upper edge. end members having a vertical body and inwardly extending anges en- As' shown in Figs. 4 and 14; the top panels are tirely therearound, a portion of said flange on each end member terminating ina downwardly extending L-shaped element, said end members receiving the ends of the front panel member, a

lower rear panel-member having a `flange extending inwardly at its lower edge, an upper rear panel member, a wooden frame construction mounted adjacent the rear panel members, doors mounted upon said wooden frame member, a top extending between the end members, a glass unit located' between the top member and the upper iiange of the front panel member and closure means located between the top member and the upper rear panel member.

3. A combination of elements as set forth in claim 2 in which an additional steel shell is detachably supported in spaced relationship exteriorly of the several panel members.

4. In a refrigerator frame construction of boxlike shape, the combination of, a first strip, hav- ,ing an oiset'termi'nal edge, means for fastening -this strip to one face of the refrigerator adjacent a corner with the offset edge spaced from and extending away fromthe corner juncture,l a sec-f ond strip of offset construction fastened adjacentto the said corner with its terminal edge in non-protruding relationship to the adjacent side of the refrigerator, a concealing panel having a U-shaped terminal edge adapted to have the flange thereof extend into the space between the offset portion of the second mentioned strip and the adjacent side of the refrigerator, a second concealing panel having a U-shaped terminal edge with a 'flange extending between the offset part of the iii-st strip andthe bight portion of l the first mentioned concealing plate. f

5. A lconstruction comprising a sheet metal front panel having an inturned ilange -at its lower edge and a second flange at its upper edge, sheet metal end members having inturned peripheral flanges, said. front panel flttin'gfwithin the flanges of the end members against the inner sides of the flanges, a sheet metal bottom member .having downturned flanges contacting the lower iianges of the ends and the lower flangeof the front panel, a rear lower metal member extending between the lower portions of the ends.

a rearV sheet metal panel member spaced upwardly from the rear lower member. wooden frame means adjacent the rear lower member and the rear sheet metal panel, closure means, including doors, closing the space between the rear members, a top member, sliding doors between the top member and the upper edge of the rear sheet metal panel, and a removable glass unit between the top member and the upper of the front panel.

JAMIS H. WARD. Ja. 

